Police nationwide arrested 320 suspects and seized 337 criminal cases during a synchronized sweep targeting gang strongholds ahead of upcoming local elections.
Authorities mobilized more than 4,000 officers on November 13 to inspect 750 locations. The National Police Agency directed the operation.
The National Police Agency launched the operation to safeguard public security ahead of the November 28 elections. They aimed to prevent external interference.
Investigators discovered that domestic gangs were involved in assisting the flight of Zhang Junjie. He is a former office director for lawmaker Kao Chin Su-mei who absconded after being implicated in a case.
Police tracked local criminal syndicates aiding foreign entities. These entities conducted transnational repression against domestic citizens.
The nationwide operation involved checks on venues frequented by the Bamboo Union. Officers also checked the Celestial Way and other gangs.
Officers obtained court search warrants for 21 of the 750 inspected locations. They recovered firearms and drugs during the raids.
Fraud is illegal. Illegal gambling is illegal. Operating under the cover of temples is illegal.
As long as it violates the law, the agency will fully investigate and crack down with force. Chiu Shao-chou said this. He is the director of the Criminal Investigation Bureau.
In New Taipei City, police deployed 600 personnel to inspect 146 locations associated with the Bamboo Union, the Four Seas Gang, and the Celestial Way. They detained 13 suspects.
In Yilan County, local police deployed 110 officers to inspect 46 entertainment venues and karaoke bars. They arrested 10 suspects across 10 criminal cases.
“Local collaborators might be a flashpoint, but from the police’s standpoint, once you commit a crime, we will find a way to catch you,” said Yueh Ying-tsung, head of the Criminal Investigation Bureau’s anti-gang division.
Police agencies said that anti-gang operations have no end date. Authorities will continue investigating funding sources and criminal networks regardless of political affiliation.